The increasing cost of higher education is causing concern among students and families in Pennsylvania, particularly in the Lehigh Valley. While acceptance letters from prestigious universities typically bring excitement, this year many students are faced with anxiety over how to finance their education. House Bill 2084, recently proposed, aims to alleviate some of these financial burdens for in-state students.
Scholarships and Financial Challenges
One such student, Cassandra Tressler, has received a remarkable $96,000 scholarship to attend High Point University in North Carolina. Her mother, Amanda Ishaya, expressed pride in her daughter’s achievement, stating, “It felt like our income wasn’t going to hold Cassie back from amazing things.” Despite her academic excellence and hard work, Tressler now faces a daunting reality: her family must still cover $180,000 over the next four years.
Tressler’s aspirations to become a history teacher are now clouded by financial uncertainty. “I have a lot of siblings that need to get through school. I was really relying on scholarships,” she explained. This sentiment echoes the struggles of many students across the state, where even state schools often fall short in providing adequate financial aid.
According to Kate Shaw, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Pennsylvania ranks 49th in the nation for college affordability. The issue is exacerbated by recent cuts to federal financial aid programs, which limit borrowing options for families. As a result, many Pennsylvania families find themselves unable to afford college.
Legislative Solutions and Concerns
House Bill 2084 seeks to provide “last dollar assistance” to students from households earning less than $250,000 annually. This legislation would cover the remaining tuition costs after scholarships and aid, thereby making college more accessible for students like Tressler. Unfortunately, the bill was tabled during a committee hearing on February 4, 2026, and advocates are now calling for renewed pressure to reintroduce it.
Critics of last-dollar scholarships argue that such programs may inadvertently encourage colleges to raise tuition further. However, it is essential to understand that tuition increases are driven by declining enrollment. As fewer students attend college, tuition rates rise, making it even harder for prospective students to enroll.
This trend poses broader implications for the local economy. For instance, Penn State, one of Pennsylvania’s largest employers, recently closed seven satellite campuses, leading to job losses and reduced community revenue. The ongoing decline in student enrollment necessitates legislative action to attract students back to campuses in Pennsylvania, rather than having them seek opportunities elsewhere.
Some students are even considering studying abroad. Sofia Dubrovskaja, a graduate of Freedom High School, chose to attend Leiden University in the Netherlands after initially committing to a liberal arts college in Massachusetts. She was drawn to Leiden due to its competitive programs and lower costs. “We’ve had speakers from the U.N. We have the ministry of defense a 2-minute walk away,” she noted, highlighting the advantages of international education.
Similarly, Hanna Black, another senior from Freedom High, has set her sights on studying in Japan, where tuition is approximately $10,000 per year. “I can’t afford to go to school here,” Black explained, emphasizing the financial security offered by foreign institutions.
Accepting the current state of college affordability implies that talented students do not deserve access to quality education. The loss of potential leaders and innovators due to financial constraints is a significant concern for the future workforce. Acceptance letters should be the beginning of new opportunities, not a signal for students to seek education elsewhere.
To safeguard the future of Pennsylvania’s students, it is imperative that both citizens and lawmakers rally behind House Bill 2084. If the state fails to act, the brightest minds may choose to build their futures far from home, leaving Pennsylvania behind.
This article reflects the views of Max Kraft, a teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of this publication.
